Ancient Words, Modern Message

The Crimson Thread

While the spectrum of subjects and events presented in the Old Testament Scriptures is very broad indeed, there is a recurring theme that appears from the first chapter of Genesis to the fourth chapter of Malachi; that theme is God’s redemptive plan for lost mankind.  That plan has at its very center the person of God’s anointed one, His Beloved Son, the Messiah.
And so it is no surprise that a careful reading of this Biblical literature provides repeated glimpses of the One whose very name means “salvation,” and nowhere is this more apparent than in the Book of Psalms where the person and work of the Messiah are foretold centuries and centuries before His birth in Bethlehem.
In this episode of the series, “Songs of Jesus in the Tanach,” we consider two of these Messianic Psalms, Psalm 16 and Psalm 34, together providing an amazingly accurate description of a detail of Christ’s death on the cross and of His glorious resurrection on the third day thereafter, amazing to be sure when we realize that these “songs” were written a thousand years before the events to which they point.
Through it all can be seen the image of the One who willingly shed His blood in payment of the penalty of sin, not His sins, for He had none, but for the sins of those who would trust in His atoning work on the cross.  Truly it can be said that there is a crimson thread woven into the very fabric of the Old Testament Scriptures, something we will clearly see in this episode of Ancient Words, Modern Message, one we call “The Crimson Thread.”
“Holy Week” which culminates in Easter, the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
What a perfect time to begin a study of six of the numerous Psalms which look into the future and point to Jesus and His redemptive work for mankind through His death, burial, and resurrection and which anticipate His ultimate reign upon the earth and through all eternity.
The first of these six Psalms to be considered is God’s declaration to the mightiest of earthly potentates that when His Son, His anointed One, the Messiah, arrives in glory, they will only have two choices—either bow the knee to Him in acknowledgment of His right to reign, or be vanquished.  The first choice will surely result in brokenness, while the second will surely result in blessedness.
So. . .let’s turn to Psalm two as we begin the series, “Songs of Jesus in the Tanach,” with this first episode entitled, “Bow or Be Broken!”
 
Thank you for listening to Ancient Words, Modern Message. You can expect episodes twice a month on Monday. Ancient Words, Modern Message is supported by Hebrew Christian Fellowship. To learn more about our ministry, or to ask a question, contact HCFellowship4819@gmail.com. We might just answer your question on a future episode of Ancient Words, Modern Message.If you know a person that you think would benefit from this teaching, please share it with them. And if you’d like to support Ancient Words, Modern Message, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your input helps us make the podcast even better and reach new listeners.Ancient Words, Modern Message is produced by Studio D Podcast Production and hosted by Rev. Roger Wambold, Director of Hebrew Christian Fellowship.

Singing in the Shadow of the Cross

The recent Prime Video series on the public ministry of Jesus, The Chosen, does a credible and effective job of presenting not only His deity, but also His humanity, a balance not often achieved in such media.
A comprehension, albeit incomplete, of both dimensions of the person who is the Unique Son of God adds to the depth of our appreciation of everything we read about Him in the Gospel accounts.
Rarely are we given in the scriptures a glimpse of what might have been the innermost thoughts and emotions of the Savior in any particular situation.  However, such an opportunity is presented by a careful reading and understanding of yet another of one of the numerous Messianic Psalms and the impact that Psalm must have had on Jesus on the eve of His death on the cruel cross of Calvary.
With that in mind, let’s turn to Psalm 118, as did Jesus and his followers as they gathered in the upper room to observe the Passover Seder, for this unusual perspective in our series,  “Songs of Jesus in the Tanach,” an episode entitled, “Singing in the Shadow of the Cross.”
Thank you for listening to Ancient Words, Modern Message. You can expect episodes twice a month on Monday. Ancient Words, Modern Message is supported by Hebrew Christian Fellowship. To learn more about our ministry, or to ask a question, contact HCFellowship4819@gmail.com. We might just answer your question on a future episode of Ancient Words, Modern Message.If you know a person that you think would benefit from this teaching, please share it with them. And if you’d like to support Ancient Words, Modern Message, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your input helps us make the podcast even better and reach new listeners.Ancient Words, Modern Message is produced by Studio D Podcast Production and hosted by Rev. Roger Wambold, Director of Hebrew Christian Fellowship.

The Mystery of Godliness

The Apostle Paul, in writing to his son in the Faith, Timothy, observes, “And without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness.”  (1 Timothy 3:16)
This great mystery includes the truth of the incarnation, that over two millennia ago Jesus entered the world as fully God and fully man. 
Many of the 150 psalms in the Old Testament Scriptures predict this dual nature of Jesus, demonstrated in his life, death, resurrection, and ultimate reign.  Among these is Psalm 69, the second most often quoted by the writers of the New Testament, as in their day these prophecies were fulfilled.
A careful study of David’s words in this psalm reminds us of the magnitude of Jesus’ suffering on the cross, willingly endured because of the magnitude of His love for lost mankind.  In the words of hymn writer Charles Wesley, “Amazing love, how can it be, that thou, my God, shouldest die for me!”
With that in mind, we consider Psalm 69 in this third study in the series, “Songs of Jesus in the Tanach,” an episode entitled, “The Mystery of Godliness.”
 
Thank you for listening to Ancient Words, Modern Message. You can expect episodes twice a month on Monday. Ancient Words, Modern Message is supported by Hebrew Christian Fellowship. To learn more about our ministry, or to ask a question, contact HCFellowship4819@gmail.com. We might just answer your question on a future episode of Ancient Words, Modern Message.If you know a person that you think would benefit from this teaching, please share it with them. And if you’d like to support Ancient Words, Modern Message, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your input helps us make the podcast even better and reach new listeners.Ancient Words, Modern Message is produced by Studio D Podcast Production and hosted by Rev. Roger Wambold, Director of Hebrew Christian Fellowship.

The Worst of All Deaths, the Deepest of All Loves

The second in this series entitled, “Songs of Jesus in the Tanach,” draws our attention to another of the many Messianic Psalms in the Old Testament, Psalm 22.
Though written a thousand years before Jesus’ day, the Holy Spirit inspired King David to describe his own experiences of suffering in exaggerated terms which would, in fact, provide an extremely detailed and accurate first-person description of death by crucifixion.  The details are so precise and vivid that we find the whole account repugnant and repulsive.
But then. . .we are strangely drawn to the scene as an expression of the extent of Jesus’ love for us, that he would willingly endure such profound and immeasurable suffering.
This episode is released just ten days after Good Friday, so it is timely and fitting that we turn now to this particular Messianic Psalm, Psalm 22 in a study we have entitled, “The Worst of All Deaths, the Deepest of All Loves.” 
Thank you for listening to Ancient Words, Modern Message. You can expect episodes twice a month on Monday. Ancient Words, Modern Message is supported by Hebrew Christian Fellowship. To learn more about our ministry, or to ask a question, contact HCFellowship4819@gmail.com. We might just answer your question on a future episode of Ancient Words, Modern Message.If you know a person that you think would benefit from this teaching, please share it with them. And if you’d like to support Ancient Words, Modern Message, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your input helps us make the podcast even better and reach new listeners.Ancient Words, Modern Message is produced by Studio D Podcast Production and hosted by Rev. Roger Wambold, Director of Hebrew Christian Fellowship.

Bow or Be Broken!

This first episode in a new series of “Ancient Words, Modern Message” is scheduled to launch on the day after Palm Sunday at the beginning of “Holy Week” which culminates in Easter, the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
What a perfect time to begin a study of six of the numerous Psalms which look into the future and point to Jesus and His redemptive work for mankind through His death, burial, and resurrection and which anticipate His ultimate reign upon the earth and through all eternity.
The first of these six Psalms to be considered is God’s declaration to the mightiest of earthly potentates that when His Son, His anointed One, the Messiah, arrives in glory, they will only have two choices—either bow the knee to Him in acknowledgment of His right to reign, or be vanquished.  The first choice will surely result in brokenness, while the second will surely result in blessedness.
So. . .let’s turn to Psalm two as we begin the series, “Songs of Jesus in the Tanach,” with this first episode entitled, “Bow or Be Broken!”
 
Thank you for listening to Ancient Words, Modern Message. You can expect episodes twice a month on Monday. Ancient Words, Modern Message is supported by Hebrew Christian Fellowship. To learn more about our ministry, or to ask a question, contact HCFellowship4819@gmail.com. We might just answer your question on a future episode of Ancient Words, Modern Message.If you know a person that you think would benefit from this teaching, please share it with them. And if you’d like to support Ancient Words, Modern Message, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your input helps us make the podcast even better and reach new listeners.Ancient Words, Modern Message is produced by Studio D Podcast Production and hosted by Rev. Roger Wambold, Director of Hebrew Christian Fellowship.
 

Bagel-side Chat #9: Looking Back While Moving On

In this, his ninth “Bagel-side Chat” Hebrew Christian Fellowship Director, Roger Wambold reflects on decades of ministry as a pastor and as a mission director.  This episode is quite different from the previous eight, providing “time-travel” to a church-pew in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as a young pastor preaches from 1 Samuel 24 in a sermon entitled, “Loving Until It Hurts.”  Join us as we listen in.
Thank you for listening to Ancient Words, Modern Message. You can expect episodes twice a month on Monday. Ancient Words, Modern Message is supported by Hebrew Christian Fellowship. To learn more about our ministry, or to ask a question, contact HCFellowship4819@gmail.com. We might just answer your question on a future episode of Ancient Words, Modern Message.If you know a person that you think would benefit from this teaching, please share it with them. And if you’d like to support Ancient Words, Modern Message, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your input helps us make the podcast even better and reach new listeners.Ancient Words, Modern Message is produced by Studio D Podcast Production and hosted by Rev. Roger Wambold, Director of Hebrew Christian Fellowship.

Recruited for Failure

Imagine a job posting on LinkedIn or Ziprecruiter with the following description:  Excellent opportunity for a career prophet demonstrating exceptional communication skills, interest in employment longevity, and a willingness to commit to a task leading to disappointment, minimal affirmation, and near-total failure.
Clearly there would not be a long line of applicants for such a position, and yet that is the career offered by God to Isaiah, one which he enthusiastically accepted and which he diligently pursued.
We read about the hiring process in Isaiah 6:1-13 as we move into this last of six episodes  in  the series entitled:  “I Saw the Lord:  Studies in the Book of Isaiah.”
With Bibles open to Isaiah 6, let’s consider together this most unusual job search in an episode entitled:  “Recruited for Failure.”
 
Thank you for listening to Ancient Words, Modern Message. You can expect episodes twice a month on Monday. Ancient Words, Modern Message is supported by Hebrew Christian Fellowship. To learn more about our ministry, or to ask a question, contact HCFellowship4819@gmail.com. We might just answer your question on a future episode of Ancient Words, Modern Message.If you know a person that you think would benefit from this teaching, please share it with them. And if you’d like to support Ancient Words, Modern Message, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your input helps us make the podcast even better and reach new listeners.Ancient Words, Modern Message is produced by Studio D Podcast Production and hosted by Rev. Roger Wambold, Director of Hebrew Christian Fellowship.
 

An Old Testament Prophet for Today’s America

There are those who dismiss the relevance of the Bible to twenty-first century Americans, calling it archaic and obsolete.  
 
However, a careful reading of the observations and pronouncements of the Old Testament Prophets leads one to the sense that they could just as readily be spoken in the United States of America today.
 
Nowhere is this more evident than in the Book of Isaiah in its record of that prophet’s message to his own Southern Kingdom of Israel in the eighth century B.C.  As we consider that message we can legitimately wonder:  “If Isaiah were to address the moral and spiritual condition of the U.S. and the American people today, what would he say?”  It would seem that his words would be strikingly similar to those spoken by him over two and a half millennia ago.
In today’s study we listen in on Isaiah’s God-given commission to confront his own people in his day, while carefully facing the question:  “Could this also be God’s message to America in 2025?”
 
So, with Bibles open to Isaiah five, verses eight through thirty, we continue the series, “I Saw the Lord:  Studies in the Book of Isaiah,” in an episode entitled, “An Old Testament Prophet for Today’s America.”
--
Thank you for listening to Ancient Words, Modern Message. You can expect episodes twice a month on Monday.
Ancient Words, Modern Message is supported by Hebrew Christian Fellowship. To learn more about our ministry, or to ask a question, contact HCFellowship4819@gmail.com. We might just answer your question on a future episode of Ancient Words, Modern Message.
If you know a person that you think would benefit from this teaching, please share it with them. And if you’d like to support Ancient Words, Modern Message, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your input helps us make the podcast even better and reach new listeners.
Ancient Words, Modern Message is produced by Studio D Podcast Production and hosted by Rev. Roger Wambold, Director of Hebrew Christian Fellowship.

The Ballad of the Disappointing Vineyard

It wasn’t easy being an Old Testament prophet whose job it was to speak on God’s behalf in denouncing the disobedience and rebellion of his own Jewish people and declaring the certainty of divine judgment if they did not repent and turn from their wicked ways.  
Sometimes the prophet turned to an unorthodox style to make his point, using metaphors, object lessons, and even a song.
Such is the case with Isaiah as recorded in the beginning of the fifth chapter of the book that bears his name.
After a glimpse into the future of Israel and the Jewish people in chapter four, Isaiah turns to the weighty task of addressing the present condition of His people in their land.
Perhaps, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Isaiah thought, “I think I’ll try something different to make my point.  I know; I’ll write a song, a ballad, and maybe they’ll get the message!”
And that’s exactly what we find in Isaiah 5:1-7, so let’s turn to chapters four and five for today’s episode entitled, “The Ballad of the Disappointing Vineyard”  in this continuing series, “I Saw the Lord:  Studies in the Book of Isaiah."
--
Thank you for listening to Ancient Words, Modern Message. You can expect episodes twice a month on Monday.
Ancient Words, Modern Message is supported by Hebrew Christian Fellowship. To learn more about our ministry, or to ask a question, contact HCFellowship4819@gmail.com. We might just answer your question on a future episode of Ancient Words, Modern Message.
If you know a person that you think would benefit from this teaching, please share it with them. And if you’d like to support Ancient Words, Modern Message, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your input helps us make the podcast even better and reach new listeners.
Ancient Words, Modern Message is produced by Studio D Podcast Production and hosted by Rev. Roger Wambold, Director of Hebrew Christian Fellowship.

Crisis Management 101!

Following a number of recent natural disasters in various parts of our country there has been a careful examination of the effectiveness of FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
It could well be said that the FEMA of the Old Testament Period consisted of one person, the Old Testament Prophet who was commissioned by God to identify the crisis which posed an emergency, along with managing and addressing that crisis.
In the Southern Kingdom of Israel in the eighth century B.C., that position was filled by Isaiah who boldly and courageously declared the emergency and offered a response to manage it, a message which sadly was consistently ignored.
We have been moving through a series of studies entitled:  “I Saw the Lord:  Studies in the Book of Isaiah,” and in today’s episode we find the prophet Isaiah identifying three crises and offering a solution to their threat of danger.
So, let’s turn now to the third chapter of the Book of Isaiah in an episode we call simply, “Crisis Management 101!”
--
Thank you for listening to Ancient Words, Modern Message. You can expect episodes twice a month on Monday.
Ancient Words, Modern Message is supported by Hebrew Christian Fellowship. To learn more about our ministry, or to ask a question, contact HCFellowship4819@gmail.com. We might just answer your question on a future episode of Ancient Words, Modern Message.
If you know a person that you think would benefit from this teaching, please share it with them. And if you’d like to support Ancient Words, Modern Message, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your input helps us make the podcast even better and reach new listeners.
Ancient Words, Modern Message is produced by Studio D Podcast Production and hosted by Rev. Roger Wambold, Director of Hebrew Christian Fellowship.